History of Early Christianity

History and Belief Clearly Distinguished

A. Historical Development 

1. Jesus and the Earliest Movement (c. 30 CE)

Jesus of Nazareth was a Jewish teacher who proclaimed the Kingdom of God, called people to repentance, and taught a new way of living centered on love, mercy, and faithfulness to God. After his crucifixion, his followers continued as a Jewish movement, convinced that God had vindicated Jesus and that he was the Messiah.

2. The Jerusalem Church (30–70 CE)

The earliest Christian community formed in Jerusalem, led by Peter, James (the brother of Jesus), and John. This community remained within Judaism and emphasized obedient living according to Jesus’ teachings. They expected God’s kingdom to be fully revealed and did not yet separate themselves from Jewish religious life.

3. Expansion and First-Century Writings (50–100 CE)

As the movement spread across the Roman Empire, it diversified.

Paul’s letters were written and circulated to Gentile churches.

The Synoptic Gospels recorded Jesus’ life and teachings.

The Catholic (General) Epistles addressed ethics, suffering, and faithfulness.

After the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE, Jewish-Christian influence declined, while Gentile communities became more prominent.

B. Belief Interpretation (How Faith Was Understood and Reinterpreted)

4. Interpreting Jesus as Messiah and Lord (First Century)

Early believers interpreted Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as proof that he was the Messiah. In Gentile contexts, especially through Paul, Jesus was also proclaimed as Lord, a title with cosmic and universal meaning.

5. Second-Century Reflection: Jesus as Divine

In the second century, Christians reflected more deeply on Jesus’ identity using philosophical language. Jesus came to be understood not only as Messiah and Lord, but as divine, sharing in God’s nature.

John’s Gospel, written near the end of the first century and widely used in the second, played a major role by presenting Jesus as the pre-existent Word (Logos).

6. Toward Later Doctrine

These belief interpretations were not yet fixed doctrines. They were steps in an ongoing process that later resulted in formal creeds affirming Jesus’ divinity.

Summary in One Sentence

Historically, Christianity began as a Jewish movement centered on Jesus; theologically, it developed through reflection and interpretation into belief in Jesus as Messiah, Lord, and eventually divine.